Snapdragon X2 Plus laptops are on the way; here's what the benchmarks indicate.
Benchmarks for the Snapdragon X2 Plus are beginning to clarify the options for anyone considering a Windows laptop upgrade this year. According to a series of synthetic CPU and GPU tests shared by PCMag, Apple's M4 outperformed the Snapdragon X2 Plus in four out of five assessments.
For those anticipating that Snapdragon would deliver a Mac-like performance in a slim Windows laptop, this information serves as a valuable point of reference. While it doesn't provide the complete picture, it indicates that Macs still maintain a significant edge when it comes to direct performance comparisons.
One important note is that the Snapdragon X2 Plus results were derived from a reference platform rather than a finished retail laptop. Actual devices may perform differently based on factors such as cooling, power limitations, and the extent to which the manufacturer optimizes performance.
The results favor Apple
The single-core CPU performance heavily favored Apple. In Cinebench 2024 single-core tests, the M4 scored 173 compared to 133 for the Snapdragon X2 Plus, and in Geekbench 6 single-core tests, the M4 achieved 3,859 against 3,311. This margin is noticeable if you prioritize application responsiveness and short workloads.
In the multi-core tests, the results were closer. The Snapdragon X2 Plus narrowly led in Cinebench 2024 multi-core with a score of 1,011 versus 993, but Geekbench 6 multi-core scores favored the M4 at 15,093 compared to 14,940. Overall, while Qualcomm demonstrates competitiveness in some sustained tasks, it does not consistently surpass Apple.
The GPU performance widened the disparity once more, with the M4 attaining 3,949 versus 3,067 in 3DMark Steel Nomad Light and 15,580 versus 12,525 in 3DMark Solar Bay. For graphics-intensive tasks, such differences can lead to smoother timelines, quicker effects, or the ability to use higher settings.
Reasons why these results may vary
While benchmarks offer clear data, laptops often present complexities. A shipping model may throttle sooner, operate hotter, or prioritize battery life, all of which can impact the user's experience.
Software plays a crucial role as well. Even powerful hardware can appear mediocre if the applications you depend on are not optimized for it, particularly in environments where some programs run natively while others rely on translation.
What to consider before purchasing
If you need a laptop immediately and prioritizing speed is your primary concern, the M4 still seems to be the more reliable option based on these results, especially for single-core tasks and GPU demands.
If you're looking for a Windows laptop, it’s wise to wait for reviews on specific Snapdragon X2 Plus laptops that will be available for purchase. Look for repeated tests on the exact model you’re interested in, along with insights on sustained performance, fan noise, and battery life under load. These specifics will provide far more relevant information than a reference platform can.
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Snapdragon X2 Plus laptops are on the way; here's what the benchmarks indicate.
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